Nashville Mayor Megan Barry is released from booking after resigning as mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. Earlier, Barry pleaded guilty to felony theft of property over $10,000 related to her affair with former police bodyguard Sgt. Rob Forrest
Tuesday March 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn
Larry McCormack / The Tennesse

A booking photograph for Megan Barry, the former Nashville mayor who resigned in March 2018 amid an affair scandal and pleaded guilty to a $10,000 felony theft tied to the affair.
Metro Nashville Police Department

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry is released from booking after resigning as Mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. Earlier, Barry pleaded guilty to felony theft of property over $10,000 related to her affair with former police bodyguard Sgt. Rob Forrest
Tuesday March 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn
Larry McCormack / The Tennesse

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry closes her eyes while listening to the charges to theft of property over $10,000 related to her affair with former police bodyguard Sgt. Rob Forrest at the Justice A. A. Birch Building in Nashville, Tenn. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018.
Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry smiles at Judge Monte D. Watkins after pleading guilty to theft of property over $10,000 related to her affair with former police bodyguard Sgt. Rob Forrest at the Justice A. A. Birch Building in Nashville on Tuesday, March 6, 2018.
Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry leaves a press conference where she announced her resignation Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. Earlier, Barry pleaded guilty to felony theft of property over $10,000 related to her affair with former police bodyguard Sgt. Rob Forrest.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Former Davidson County Clerk John Arriola comments to the media about the resignation of Mayor Megan Barry at Metro Courthouse Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. Earlier, Barry pleaded guilty to felony theft of property over $10,000 related to her affair with former police bodyguard Sgt. Rob Forrest.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry listens to Judge Monte Walkins discusses her charges before she pleaded guilty Tuesday, March 6, 2018 to felony theft of property over $10,000 related to her affair with former police bodyguard Sgt. Rob Forrest in court at the Justice A. A. Birch Building in Nashville, Tenn.
Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

Barry pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony theft over $10,000 in the midst of investigations into the affair with her ex-police bodyguard. The criminal charge stems from her extramarital relationship with police Sgt. Rob Forrest, who used to lead her security detail.

As a part of her plea deal, Barry agreed to resign. She announced she was stepping down during a news conference that followed her morning court appearance.

Support for new mayor David Briley key

Because of the resignation, Vice Mayor David Briley was sworn in Tuesday evening to lead Nashville. The new mayor has Dean's full confidence during this transitional time. That sentiment was echoed Tuesday by many state and city leaders, including Phil Bredesen, a former governor and Nashville mayor.

Metro Councilman Steve Glover, a frequent Barry critic, said it is important for the city to begin to heal and support Briley.

"I don’t think anybody can be happy today," Glover said. "We’re all human. We’re all fallible. Unfortunately, this has occurred."

Barry, who was Nashville's first female mayor, will serve three years probation and agreed to reimburse the city $11,000. She paid the money Tuesday. Forrest also pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony theft charge over $10,000. He will serve three years probation and reimburse the city $45,000.

Tuesday's news prompted the Rev. Jay Voorhees, pastor of City Road Chapel, to pen a prayer for Nashville. The United Methodist minister, who believes that new life is possible in the midst of brokenness and heartache, said the city needs prayers and so does Briley as he begins to lead the city during this difficult time.

"Today is a sad day for our city in having to acknowledge that one of our leaders has broken trust with us," Voorhees said. "And yet, we believe in hope, because as a person in the Christian tradition I must always believe in the possibility of resurrection."

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Nashville Mayor Megan Barry pleads guilty to felony theft of property over $10,000. She will pay restitution back to the city and will be on probation for three years.
Shelley Mays/Tennessean

Resignation means city can focus on Nashville's future

Public officials and community leaders on both sides of the political aisle agreed that Barry's resignation means the city can refocus on pressing issues, like transit and affordable housing.

It gives clarity to the city, which has been "rudderless" in recent weeks, said state Sen. Steve Dickerson, R-Nashville.

"It gives us sort of a chance to reset and move forward," Dickerson said.

House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, agreed with Dickerson and said in a statement that Barry's resignation was the right move.

"Now more than ever we must come together as a city and stay focused," Vercher said. "We still have to pass a budget and do the work for the city — all of which will require unity and focus."

Barry's affair and the subsequent fallout paused some of the efforts to move the city forward, said the Rev. Frank Stevenson, a Nashville pastor who supported Barry during her mayoral campaign. Now that work can restart.

State Rep. Harold Love Jr., D-Nashville, also pointed to key issues in need of attention.

"The city is growing and certainly this transition period will be difficult for many of us, but we have to come together and have our minds focused now on not just the interim, but also focused on August," said Love, who also is a Nashville pastor.